How much is your smile worth? The shocking truth about gum disease

Emily Badiozzaman

Swipe the photo to reveal what happens when you let gum disease get out of control.

They say a smile is worth a thousand words. Your smile is one of your most important tools of communication. Greeting an old friend would certainly seem less joyous if you couldn’t accompany a hello with a beam, or worse, if you had to cover your mouth when speaking. So gum disease can cost you more than a chunk of vocabulary.

It starts when you spit blood brushing your teeth. Then a friend confides that your breath smells. Before you know it, your dentist is warning that you have receding gums and loose teeth. These can be the first signs of worse things to come, such as tooth loss. That is unless you do something about it.

Slide the photo to reveal the truth about tooth loss

A healthy smile should come as standard.Protect your teeth against gum disease.

This is a computer-simulated image

Gum disease is triggered when hardened plaque gets inside the gap between your tooth and the gum. Leave it untreated for long enough, and it can be the first step to losing your teeth.

According to the 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey, about 83 per cent of adults with teeth showed signs of gum disease. But despite gum disease being the leading cause of tooth loss, a survey by Corsodyl found only 10 per cent of us go to the dentist if we spit blood when we brush.¹

While we may know we should brush our teeth twice a day, choosing the right toothpaste is just as important. Corsodyl is the market leader in specialist gum care and Corsodyl toothpaste is clinically proven to treat bleeding gums.

When it comes to battling plaque build-up, the most susceptible area is around your gum lines, so take care to brush close to your gums and make sure you floss to hit those hard-to-reach areas.

Floss with movements away from the gum to avoid damage. Finishing your regime with a fluoride mouthwash will also help keep plaque at bay. Corsodyl Daily mouthwash protects your gums every day and helps remove plaque.

And if you do spot any symptoms, such as red or swollen gums, or blood when you spit, be sure to seek professional dental advice – because your smile is worth a lot more than words.

Have a good morning

We all have our morning routines to get us ready for the day. Whether you’ve streamlined styling your hair or brought your beauty ritual up to speed, we all know what will get us out the door on time looking our best. Bleeding gums aren’t routine. If you spit blood after brushing your teeth, don’t ignore it. Use Corsodyl toothpaste everyday, clinically proven to treat bleeding gums, and Corsodyl Daily Mouthwash to protect healthy gums. Because nothing should stop you starting your day with a smile. Visit corsodyl.co.uk/about-gum-disease/symptoms-checker to check your symptoms and find the right care for your teeth and gums.